Question about effectively testing builds

Rovmis

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Feb 2006

Entropy of Souls [SOUL]

Hey everyone,

I was just hoping I could get some advice on how to test builds effectively. I know farming builds aren't that hard since you can just go out there but what about tanking builds? I feel as if joining a random group to test out a build probably wouldn't be the best idea but I'm not sure if using henchies would be the best bet either since they don't follow human characteristics that closely. And I was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction for damage absorption key skills too. I'm guessing healing signet and endure pain would probably be in there but I'm a little iffy about stuff like gladiator's defense since the damage on that repels mobs to other people now.

Rovmis

iridescentfyre

iridescentfyre

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2006

W/

A few facts about the game that may help you out a bit:Tanking is not something you need to do, ever. A couple good monks (including AI monks) can usually deal with anything a PvE group can dish out. Tanks slow down a group for no good reason, and offer little to help a group. Most of the time, being a tank just means you're the last one standing, and that doesn't help anyone. Heroes (and to a lesser extent, henchmen) outperform the vast majority of random player groups, almost to the point of being game-breaking.
  • Endure Pain is a bad skill. Healing Signet is okay, but only for emergencies. Monks are there for a reason.
    Since you didn't ask for a build, I'll just run through some generalities: You can seriously add to your group's effectiveness with [skill=text]"Watch Yourself!"[/skill], [skill=text]"Shields Up!"[/skill] or "Save Yourselves!". Also, Warriors deal out damage-per-second that puts pretty much any other class to shame. Don't disregard that advantage, its a huge asset to a group. A smart Warrior with a solid damage build is scary. Also, always carry an IAS (increased attack speed) skill such as [skill=text]Flail[/skill].
  • Teutonic Paladin

    Wilds Pathfinder

    Join Date: Feb 2006

    TW

    W/

    Just for the sake of clarification, tanking builds are terrible; however, tanking is something you should be doing constantly. Test your builds by playing them, make sure they work logically first and then feel free to bring them into h/h or player groups. If it doesn't work out, the world won't end.

    Marty Silverblade

    Marty Silverblade

    Administrator

    Join Date: Jun 2006

    Hold aggro, don't tank, then pwn nub AI with Dragon Slash. Really, Watch Yourself or Save Yourselves is all you need, provided you have decent monks (i.e, AI).

    Rovmis

    Pre-Searing Cadet

    Join Date: Feb 2006

    Entropy of Souls [SOUL]

    Thanks for all the advice guys, its much appreciated. I just came off of a year break and I was a little behind the times!